PAUL COOPER Jr.

Paul Ray Cooper, Jr Paul Ray Cooper, Jr., 75, passed away on Feb. 13 with his wife and children at his side. Born and raised in Spokane, Paul graduated from Lewis & Clark HS, received his teaching degree from EWU and master's at WWU. A history teacher and principal for 24 years in the Kent School District at Meridian, Kent, and Sequoia Jr. Highs, with several Teacher of the Year awards. Paul married Charlotte, an RN, in 1957. After being drafted in the Army as a Clerk/Typist, they spent two years in Killeen, Texas, where their first son Paul was born. Two more sons were born in Spokane, Pat and Perry. They came to the west side of Washington in 1968 to begin his teaching career. They gave away all of the kids' sleds and skates because he said it didn't snow in Seattle. That winter, however, it snowed 16 inches! Paul grew up playing baseball, and coached all three sons from Five Star in Issaquah to Meridian JH and American Legion. A great fan of the Mariners and the old AAA Spokane Indians, he also enjoyed a love of all sports, including loyal support of all WSU sports and road trips with the Traveling Cougars. Over the years, he and Charlotte attended two Rose Bowls and several other Cougar bowl games. Paul developed a love of golf with family and friends as an adult. He combined golf with travel in places from Hawaii to Palm Springs and Sun River while becoming a big part of regular club events at his home course of Madrona. He scored a hole-in-one at Auburn's 8th hole in 1983! Late in life his focus and joy turned to four grandchildren. A memorial will be held on Feb. 26, 2011 at 1 p.m. at Gig Harbor United Methodist Church. The family requests donations in Paul's name to Regional Hospital for Respiratory and Complex Care, Seattle, www.regionalhospital.org/gifts.html .